You have done the research; you have developed your product, tested the market and refined your offering, so what next? An office, but taking that initial step and investing in premises can seem rather daunting.

The cost of renting premises can be a huge expense, and when hiring office space you will usually be bound to a fixed term of 3-5 years and can’t opt-out of the contract if business turns sour. In addition you’ll have to purchase all of the necessary communications systems, take on staff, furnish and decorate the interior, and establish your brand in the area.

There is an alternative which offers flexibility, location, equipment, and that also comes ready staffed. Serviced offices are rapidly becoming the fastest growing sector within the commercial property market –as a great cost effective, flexible option for any start up small business, and with the ability to offer a permanent business home for your company.

Increasingly, serviced office space is able to offer a whole range of office solutions whether that is an out of town open plan space, science park or a state of the art, contemporary office right in the city centre.

The flexibility serviced office space can provide is probably the biggest advantage to your company – with lease terms available on flexible month to month terms, this means your business is not tied down to a long term contract giving you the peace of mind that should you need to, you are free to expand and quickly up or down size according to your business needs.

With a serviced office space you’ll only ever pay for what you use. In addition to the physical space, services and facilities such as copiers, meeting rooms and staff are available as and when you need them. For example, if you have a meeting with an important client and need to hire a conference room, you can hire one on a per-hour basis.

Another great advantage is being part of a like-minded business community; tech companies will often choose science parks attached to universities where in addition to all the usual facilities there may be test labs, lecture theatres and other high tech companies. Others may prefer a city centre location, while others still may enjoy being part of a creative or craft community; with serviced offices you can take your pick.

Another benefit of serviced offices is that your IT infrastructure can be managed for you by the office operator so that you no longer have to spend precious time calling your IT support if something goes wrong. A company will still supply their own computers but the network comes with the office. Some operators offer simple IT services, such as a shared network, while others offer a whole range of services for businesses that may require a high bandwidth - such as graphic designers, architects or tech companies.

Incoming calls will be answered by receptionists in the centre, so it is important to check that the operator places a central importance on recruiting and training their people in order that they portray the right image for the business.

Serviced offices are already set up and ready-to-use. Everything from communications systems to office equipment will be operational from the second you step in the door, meaning you won’t suffer any downtime waiting for phone and Internet companies to install new lines or set up new gear.

Serviced office operators strive to maintain their staff and technology to the highest standards and will ensure that all of their services and facilities are maintained to the highest quality. When you hire equipment or staff from a serviced office you’re not bound to any contracts and quality is guaranteed.

Another option for small businesses, that has become available largely due to advances in technology, is the virtual office. With this, a business is able to enjoy the benefits of a prestigious address, phone number and call answering service but without actually having an office at the location.

Serviced offices don't just offer businesses a temporary office space solution or small businesses a desk while they are starting up. They also offer permanent solutions to businesses of all sizes because of the flexibility they allow and the services that they provide, taking the hassle and administration out of office space.

While serviced offices will never be a solution for every business - as there will always be those who wish to invest in property themselves or secure a location for a longer term - the flexibility and convenience of serviced offices offer solutions to all types of enterprise.